Wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is creating worries about health risks, especially for specific vulnerable groups.The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ Wednesday afternoon, warning fine particle pollution is expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups July 15. That alert was upgraded to ‘Orange’ for July 16.The dense smoke drifting south stems from wildfires burning in central and western Canada, primarily in Ontario northwest of Lake Superior.Wind patterns have carried that smoke south across much of the Northeast. In many places, a hazy, yellowish tint has covered the New Hampshire sky since Tuesday.The advisory marks the latest in a string of summers when Canadian wildfire smoke has covered the region. It’s a pattern health professionals say is creating higher risk for those with health concerns.Dr. Adam Darnobid is the medical director of the emergency room at Monadnock Community Hospital. He said with the increase in smoke, especially year-over-year, comes the increase in patients.”We’re seeing more of this, and it’s getting more challenging every year because it makes the summer harder for our sicker and more at-risk populations,” Darnobid said.He identified an increase of two primary patient groups at the ER during smoke events: elderly residents with preexisting lung conditions, and outdoor workers in construction, landscaping, and other outdoor fields.”We’re seeing people who might not have been affected in years past coming in and seeing us in the ER, having trouble breathing,” he said. Hospital stays can range from three to four hours in the emergency department, to several days of care. For elderly residents in long-term facilities, the smoke has forced difficult decisions. At St. Teresa Nursing Center in Manchester, administrator Rory Blinn said he closed the courtyard and canceled a planned barbecue Wednesday to keep residents safe. “Once it’s cleared and we’re able to get the indication from the experts that the air quality is better, we can open up the patio a little bit more and get them outside,” Blinn said. “But it’s tough when you have to close it down.” Residents’ ages range from 80 to over 100 years old. To maintain high standards of safety, the facility monitors air quality and heat index daily, advising residents to stay indoors with windows closed when levels pose danger. “There’s this double hit of the heat and humidity and the wildfire smoke in the air that really sets them back and makes it real hard for them to breathe,” said Blinn. “People who are doing fine the other 11 months out of the year are really struggling right now.” Officials with the Department of Environmental Services said most of the smoke is still at higher altitudes, which accounts for the hazy skies. But fine particles at ground level have reached moderate concentrations, especially for more elevated terrain that hikers experience. Models suggest the smoke will start to clear by Friday afternoon. For the time being, Darnobid urged community members to help each other as the smoke event goes on.”Watch out for your friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Make sure they’re okay. Help them out in their time of need.”You can find air quality updates at the NHDES website, or by calling 1-800-935-SMOG.

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

Wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is creating worries about health risks, especially for specific vulnerable groups.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ Wednesday afternoon, warning fine particle pollution is expected to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups July 15. That alert was upgraded to ‘Orange’ for July 16.

The dense smoke drifting south stems from wildfires burning in central and western Canada, primarily in Ontario northwest of Lake Superior.

Wind patterns have carried that smoke south across much of the Northeast. In many places, a hazy, yellowish tint has covered the New Hampshire sky since Tuesday.

The advisory marks the latest in a string of summers when Canadian wildfire smoke has covered the region. It’s a pattern health professionals say is creating higher risk for those with health concerns.

Dr. Adam Darnobid is the medical director of the emergency room at Monadnock Community Hospital. He said with the increase in smoke, especially year-over-year, comes the increase in patients.

“We’re seeing more of this, and it’s getting more challenging every year because it makes the summer harder for our sicker and more at-risk populations,” Darnobid said.

He identified an increase of two primary patient groups at the ER during smoke events: elderly residents with preexisting lung conditions, and outdoor workers in construction, landscaping, and other outdoor fields.

“We’re seeing people who might not have been affected in years past coming in and seeing us in the ER, having trouble breathing,” he said.

Hospital stays can range from three to four hours in the emergency department, to several days of care.

For elderly residents in long-term facilities, the smoke has forced difficult decisions. At St. Teresa Nursing Center in Manchester, administrator Rory Blinn said he closed the courtyard and canceled a planned barbecue Wednesday to keep residents safe.

“Once it’s cleared and we’re able to get the indication from the experts that the air quality is better, we can open up the patio a little bit more and get them outside,” Blinn said. “But it’s tough when you have to close it down.”

Residents’ ages range from 80 to over 100 years old. To maintain high standards of safety, the facility monitors air quality and heat index daily, advising residents to stay indoors with windows closed when levels pose danger.

“There’s this double hit of the heat and humidity and the wildfire smoke in the air that really sets them back and makes it real hard for them to breathe,” said Blinn. “People who are doing fine the other 11 months out of the year are really struggling right now.”

Officials with the Department of Environmental Services said most of the smoke is still at higher altitudes, which accounts for the hazy skies. But fine particles at ground level have reached moderate concentrations, especially for more elevated terrain that hikers experience.

Models suggest the smoke will start to clear by Friday afternoon. For the time being, Darnobid urged community members to help each other as the smoke event goes on.

“Watch out for your friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Make sure they’re okay. Help them out in their time of need.”

You can find air quality updates at the NHDES website, or by calling 1-800-935-SMOG.